7 Fixes: Windows 11 Task Manager Not Working

Overview of Windows 11 Task ManagerNot Working

Windows 11 has introduced a redesigned Task Manager with a new visual style to match the overall aesthetics of the operating system. However, some users have been facing the issue of Task Manager not working properly, which requires them to restart their PCs to resolve frozen applications.

Task Manager plays a critical role in managing processes, closing applications, and monitoring system resources like CPU and RAM usage. Fortunately, there are troubleshooting steps available to address the Windows 11 Task Manager not working issue. Let's explore these steps in detail below.

How to Solve Windows 11 Task Manager Not Working

1. Reboot Windows PC

To resolve the issue of Windows 11 Task Manager not working, one simple and effective solution is to restart your PC. Restarting your computer will automatically restart all system services, which often resolves most problems.

However, if Task Manager is not functioning, you cannot restart your PC using the traditional Start Menu method. Nevertheless, you can easily restart your Windows 11 PC by using the key combination Alt + F4.

An alternative method to restart your PC is through the Task Manager menu, which can be accessed by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del simultaneously.

2. Troubleshoot System Menu Issues

If restarting your PC doesn't resolve the issue of Windows 11 Task Manager not responding, you can attempt to troubleshoot it using the native system menu troubleshooter in Windows 11. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard and search for Control Panel.

Step 2. Open the Control Panel and click on the View option located in the upper-right corner of the screen. From the drop-down list, select Large Icons.

Step 3. Next, locate and click on the Troubleshooting icon.

Step 4. Go to the System and Security tab, then select the Run maintenance tasks option.

Follow the on-screen instructions to run the troubleshooter and complete the process. Once completed, the issue with Windows 11 Task Managers should be resolved.

3. Utilize Command Prompt

Fixing the issue of Task Manager not working in Windows 11 can be achieved by using the widely-used Windows Command Prompt. Here's how:

Step 1. Launch the Start menu by pressing the Windows key or using the mouse cursor.

Step 2. Search for CMD and run it as an administrator.

Once the command prompt window appears, enter the following command and press enter. (Note:  This command will initiate a PC shutdown, so ensure that you save all your work beforehand to prevent data loss.)

• HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\IrisService /f && shutdown -r -t 0

Step 4. Power on your PC by pressing the power button and check if the problem the Windows 11 Task Manager performance tab not working has been resolved.

4. Perform an SFC Scan

To resolve the Task Manager issue in Windows 11, you can run an SFC scan using the Windows 11 terminal. Here's how:

Step 1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key or using the mouse cursor.

Step 2. Search for CMD and run it as an administrator.

Step 3. In the command prompt window, enter the following command and press enter:

• sfc /scannow

Step 4. The scanning process will now begin to detect and automatically resolve any issues on your PC, thereby fixing the Task Manager problem.

5. Perform a DISM Scan

If the SFC scan fails to resolve the Task Manager problem, you can attempt to fix it by running a DISM scan using the following steps:

Step 1. Launch the command prompt window on your PC from the Start menu.

Step 2. Enter the following commands in the specified sequence:

• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

After completing the DISM scan, restart your PC. This time, the Task Manager should function properly.

6. Perform a Windows Security Check

To address the issue of Windows 11 Task Manager not working, you can run a Windows security scan to identify and resolve any security vulnerabilities in the system. Follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open the Windows 11 settings menu.

Step 2. From the left pane, navigate to the Privacy and Security tab.

Step 3. Select the Windows Security option.

Step 4. Next, select the Virus & threat protection option, then choose the Quick Scan option.

The tool will scan your PC for viruses and other threats. Once the scan is complete, the issue with the Task Manager menu should be resolved.

7. Update Your Graphics Driver

Outdated graphics drivers can often be the cause of the Task Manager not working problem in Windows 11. To address this issue, follow these steps:

Step 1. Press the Windows + X keys together and open the Device Manager.

Step 2. Locate the Processors option and click on it.

Step 3. Right-click on the graphics card and select Update driver from the drop-down menu.

Once the drivers have been updated, verify the functionality of the Windows 11 Start menu.

Backup Your Windows 11 to Prevent Such Issues

When making changes to device settings to resolve the issue of the Windows 11 Task Manager not working, there is a level of uncertainty regarding the outcome. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you back up your computer beforehand. This will allow you to easily restore your computer to an earlier state in case of any unexpected issues.

AOMEI Backupper is a free backup software that can assist you in creating backups of your computer effortlessly. It also enables you to create bootable media for data and system recovery when your computer cannot start normally. It supports all Windows PC operating systems, including Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP.

✎ AOMEI Backupper offers system backup, file backup, disk backup, and partition backup options, allowing you to choose the one that suits your needs.
✎ You can select different destinations for your backups, such asbackup Windows 11 to external hard drives, USB drives, internal and, NAS or network locations, and more.
✎ It provides three backup methods: Incremental Backup, Differential Backup, and Full Backup. For time and disk space efficiency, it is recommended to utilize incremental and differential backup features. Differential backup becomes available after upgrading to higher editions.

If you wish to change device settings to resolve the Windows 11 Task Manager issue, it is advisable to use AOMEI Backupper to back up your computer first. Download the AOMEI Backupper freeware and install it on your computer.

Step 1. Open the AOMEI Backupper software to access its deep-blue interface. Click on the Backup option, then select Disk Backup from the menu.

Step 3. Select the Add Disk button to choose the source disk that you wish to back up.

Step 4. Specify the destination path where you would like to store the backup. As you may be making changes to device settings, it is advisable to back up to an external disk for added safety.

Step 5. Once you have completed all the necessary settings, click on the Start Backup button to initiate the backup process.

✔Notes: Before clicking Start Backup, you have the option to customize certain settings according to your requirements.

• Options: You can add a note to the backup, enable email notifications for the backup process, and apply encryption to the backup (the encryption feature is available in AOMEI Backupper Professional version or higher).
• Schedule: You can configure the backup frequency using this feature. Multiple options are available, such as daily, weekly, monthly, event triggers, and USB plug in.
• Scheme: By upgrading to higher editions, you can choose a cleanup method that suits your needs. Four different methods are supported. This feature helps delete old backups to free up disk space while retaining the latest backup versions.

Summary

To resolve the Windows 11 Task Manager not working issue, follow the methods mentioned in this article. However, to avoid data loss or system damage when modifying device settings, it is crucial to back up your Windows 11 using the reliable and free software, AOMEI Backupper.

Having backups offers numerous benefits beyond imagination. This software can also help resolve issues like Windows 11 black screen after an update. It provides additional powerful functions such as cloning, restoring, and synchronization. Give it a try.

Furthermore, if you find Windows 11 to be unstable, you have the option to revert back to Windows 10. Microsoft recently released new features for Windows 10 21H2, offering significant improvements in productivity, management, and security. Alternatively, you can wait for the upcoming 22H2 update set to be released this year and see if it enhances the stability of your computer.